Hello!
I am excitedly awaiting big news from the Substackasphere!
This tiny publication I started 20 months ago has almost reached 150 subscribers and 100 published newsletters!
I know, snail’s pace growth, haha! But I’m so happy.
So I’m holding a pre-party (hint, this is it), handing out glasses of homemade fizzy kombucha with a cocktail umbrella in the glass, and inviting you to plan with me what will happen to Private View after we hit the milestones.
Because milestones are there as stepping stones, right? As points of celebration AND reminders to reflect and change if we need to.
So what shall we do?
Cheers, by the way!
[clink of glasses]
How about we create a community project?
I tried a little community project recently, did you see it?
A gazillion thanks go to Private Viewers,
and for responding to my invitation for superheroix interpretations of your art practice. Both cards were fabulous and I didn’t even have to look at who’d created them, I knew in an instant whose work it was.You might find this activity useful if you struggle to define your art practice and its core values. If you want to create your own superheroix card, you can find information and the template in this post:
[I’m passing olives around now]
Who needs a top-up of kombucha? I brew it myself down in my basement. Once I let it ferment too long and when I opened the bottle it exploded ALL OVER my kitchen wall, ceiling, countertop, floor, and cupboards!! And it was raspberry kombucha so it stained the woodwork—I still haven’t re-painted.
I’ve always considered Private View a small-press, indie, art magazine. Imagine you printed off my weekly newsletters at the end of the month, and sat down with a cuppa to read them, then you’d have a well-rounded publication with art reviews, opinion pieces, community stories, mentoring tips, and a peek inside my art studio.
But of course, you don’t do that. Neither do I.
So I’m wondering if once I reach the milestones, there’s any interest in me consolidating my weekly ‘sletters into a monthly mag? Maybe a printed zine even? It would be an edited version of my writing—like a highlights edition. What do you think? Would it be useful for you?
There’s been some stellar writing published by Private Viewers recently— the kind of writing that keeps me on Substack as a reader and fills my soul. I want to highlight work from the Private View community more in future ‘sletters. Here are a couple of posts I enjoyed immensely:
Are you a Private Viewer who also writes a Substack? If so, pop your Substack URL into the comments box and I’ll share your ‘stack in a future post.
I want us to hang out more. Should we try some Zoom meet-ups? Who’s interested?
Okay, this has been fun.
Thanks for reading and I hope it isn’t too long before I can organize the actual party!
Thanks for helping me plan and answering my questions.
I am deeply appreciative of all of you. Thank you for directing your attention to my tiny publication, it means the world to me.
Until next time
JC
I love this consolidation post and my kombucha. I also had a custard cream xx
I used to brew kombucha and had the same experience. I’m sure there are still remnants somewhere, even though it’s probably been over a decade. I also love these cards! I’ve been traveling almost all month, so I’m just catching up on my favorite reads — I’ll have to make one of those cards for myself even if I don’t share it. At the moment I’m finding that my creative out-it has shifted waaaaaay over to the written word and culinary creativity. I almost never paint anymore. I think my weekly writing practice, as well as having to cook every meal myself since being diagnosed with Crohn’s two-and-a-half years ago, both take so much creative energy I find that I barely have time or inspiration for other creative pursuits. So, in reading that post I can feel all sorts of imposter syndrome stuff coming up. I’ve even turned down several commissions this year because I just don’t have time or energy to create in that way — but I also feel that I haven’t given it up or let it go or moved beyond it. I think the heroix card might be a good way to reframe that when I get back home in June. In any case, it’s definitely got my mind stirring…
And on that note: here’s my writing: https://erickcarr.substack.com/
This has been such a lovely morning, catching up on some of your posts in Sedona, Arizona, after being in New York. Thank you for all of the thought, creativity, encouragement, and provocation you bring. I thought of you when I got to see Judy Chicago’s The Dinner Party at the Brooklyn Museum a few weeks ago. What a joy.